Break-in at Birch Hill Hospital affects patient services

Birch Hill Hospital in Wardle was brought to a temporary standstill last week following a break-in by thieves who caused significant damage to the hospital’s electrical equipment.

The break-in, which occurred during the evening of Tuesday 6 July, resulted in severe disruption to electricity supplies, leaving the hospital without power, and caused serious disruption to patient services.

Planned surgery for patients with eye conditions and outpatient clinics (ophthalmology) had to be cancelled for the whole of the following day whilst the electrical equipment was repaired and the electricity supplies could be restored.

Julie Hulston, divisional nurse manager at The Pennine Acute Trust, said: “We are appalled that the people who have done this did not give a thought to the impact of their actions on patients, especially those who were attending for their eye surgery, many of whom are elderly. This is a mindless act. This can be a very stressful time for staff and especially patients and their families who will now have to prepare once again for their surgery. We are working with the police in their investigation.”

Greater Manchester Police are investigating the circumstances of the break-in aided by the hospital’s CCTV footage.

Birch Hill Hospital is run by The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. The hospital’s security presence and intruder alarm protection has been further increased.